The Romanoffs premiere: On the red carpet with Matthew Weiner, Hugh Skinner and Marthe Keller

Last night was the launch of a new Amazon Prime Video series, The Romanoffs, centred on a selection of characters who believe they’re descendants of, or connected to, the Russian royal family.

The show is much anticipated as the first project from the man behind critically-acclaimed Mad Men since the final season ended in 2015. Fans of the 1960s period drama will be pleased to know that Matthew Weiner, who wrote and directed each of the eight episodes, has brought some of his now-famous cast – including Christina Hendricks and John Slattery – as well as a similar forensic approach to production and style, to this high glamour, slick new instalment. However, this time he has taken a slightly different tack by creating an anthology series “so people don’t have to worry about catching up,” with each new episode taking place in a new location with a new cast. The result is an ambitious, sprawling array of high-profile talent including Aaron Eckhart, Amanda Peet, Diane Lane, Kathryn Hahn, Noah Wyle, engaged in distinct narratives taking place across three continents.

We were there at the launch of the series at Curzon Mayfair to meet the cast and creators plus to spot a brooding Don Draper aka Jon Hamm, there to help promote the new show.

Matthew Weiner himself spoke about why he decided to make The Romanoffs his next project after Mad Men, his desire to make an anthology series only aiming to entertain, and how he managed to build and direct an incredible and vast cast.

Hugh Skinner was there to tell us about his character Simon Burrow, the joy of eating dumplings in Hong Kong (though he couldn’t tell us much else about the top secret specifics of his storyline) and the fun he had making Mama Mia! Here We Go Again.

Cabaret performer Adèle Anderson told us about her character Candace, her experience of working with Weiner and her upcoming role in Dr Dolittle.

Marthe Keller talked us through her character Anushka and described why she thought the cast and director worked so well together.

Ines Melab stopped to tell us about her character Hajar and the strength of the female characters Weiner creates.

Sarah Bradbury
Videos: Cristiana Ferrauti

The Romanoffs is released on Amazon Prime on 12^th October 2018.

Watch the trailer for The Romanoffs here: